Introduction 1 Laila Tyabji Picasso Gets a Sewing Machine : 2 Current Trends in Rabari Textile Arts Lachhuben Raja and Pabiben Soma in conversation with Judy Frater In Search of Prefection : Chikankari of Lucknow 18 Paola Manfredi Chippas of Rajasthan..Bindass Unlimited30 Meeta and Sunny Embroidered Gardens of Flowers :44 Bagh and Phulkari of Punjab Jasleen Dhamija Weaving a vision : Doria of Chinnur 54 Uzramma and Annapurna M. Kashmiri Embroidery 64 jenny Housengo Charkha : The HAnd Spinning Wheel76 Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee Life Passeges in Embroidery :88 The Lanbani Women Artisans Lakshminarayan and Maianna von Hippel Sujuni of Bihar : 98 Stiching Women's Lives Skye Morrison Warp and Weft : 108 Tradition and Change, Craftsmanship and Innovation, Artisan and Art in BHujodi Master Weavers Vishramji Valji, Hamir Vishramji, Shyamji Vishramji, and Family in conversation with Judy Frater Threads & Voices : 120 Embroidery as Identity and Empowerment Laila Tyabji Glossary 131 Index 134 About the Contributors136